May 18, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali prime minister says new constitution defends press freedom

17 May-Source: Radio Kulmiye- 105 words

Attending in a two day meeting for press freedom in Mogadishu held by the Somali media professionals and owners in the capital of Mogadishu, Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiwali Mohamed Ali Gaas emphasized that his government is in full support of the draft constitution which points out the press freedom as integral and fundamental right for the press in Somalia. He called on the journalists to redouble their efforts of exposing the ‘bad deeds of the Somali misguided youth who are always committing crimes against the people of Somalia in the name of Islam religion’.

Key Headlines

Somali prime minister says new constitution defends press freedom (Radio Kulmiye)
Somali Parliament Speaker visits Baidoa (Radio Bar-kulan)
Puntland speaks about motive behind delegates quitting Mogadishu elders meeting (Shabelle/BBC Somali Service)
Horn Petroleum finds oil in Somalia well (Reuters)
Al Shabaab’s Mogadishu man denounces his militant group (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somaliland army court sentences 17 to death (Africa Review)
Ethiopian court says 11 will face terror charges (AP)

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali Parliament Speaker visits Baidoa

17 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 98 words

The speaker of the Somali parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan has visited the southwest Somali city of Baidoa where he was warmly received by TFG military officials and local civic leaders in the area. Although his mission in Baidoa still remains unknown, sources close to the speaker told Bar-kulan that he came to push for plans to establish a regional administration for his native Bay and Bakol regions. His visit becomes the third of its kind since Somali forces backed by allied Ethiopians ousted the five year rebel rule in the area early this year.

Puntland speaks about motive behind delegates quitting Mogadishu elders meeting

17 May – Source: Shabelle/BBC Somali Service/Mareeg Online – 147 words

The president of the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland Abdirahman Mohammed Farole, gave details of the exactly what forced Puntland elders to walk out of the ongoing meeting forSomalia’s traditional clan elders in Mogadishu.Speaking to BBC Somali service, President Farole, said Puntland representatives at the assembly have left the meeting because of dissatisfaction with some issues in the new draft constitution of Somalia. Mr. Farole stated the draft constitution is not shaped as a constitution for a country that has been ravaged long time civil-war.

Somali prime minister says new constitution defends press freedom

17 May-Source: Radio Kulmiye- 105 words

Al Shabaab’s Mogadishu man denounces his militant group

17 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 110 words

A man who was point-man for the militant group, al Shabaab has reportedly denounced his group’s activities in the country and asked for amnesty, reports say. Ali Mohamed Hussein also requested forgiveness from the Somali population in the city, according to the state-run broadcaster, Radio Muqdisho. He is said to be willing to address the public and officially denounce the militant group and seek forgiveness from the public. He has also reportedly asked people to refer to him anybody who he had previously wronged during his tenure in the militant group.

Somaliland: Celebrating Independence, Celebrating 21 years of Achievement and Progressive Nation Building

17 May – Source: Somaliland Press – 181 words

On the occasion of 18th May 2012 Somaliland Society in Europe (SSE) wants to extend its heart felt wishes to all the nationals of the Republic of Somaliland, both inside the country and in the Diaspora.The historic day of 18th May 1991 marked the beginning of a new era for the people of Somaliland and indeed for the people of the Horn of Africa; and an end to an illegitimate union with Somalia.In addition to its 3.5 million people, Somaliland has over the past 21 years offered sanctuary to people fleeing violence, wars and famine. It has become a beacon of stability and democracy and has set an example of nation building to many countries around the world. These achievements give Somalilander reason to celebrate. To celebrating 21 years of sustained progress and political maturation.

Beheaded body found in urban village in Mudug

17 May- Source: Radio Kulmiye- 86 words

According to residents in the village of Elguul in Mudug region a body of beheaded man is found outside the village. Witnesses told Kulmiye radio that they saw body on the ground covered with bloody blankets.As one resident said this is not new to their village since al Shabaab threatened to attack Mudug region where areas autonomously administrated by the Galmudug state as a federal autonomous region in eastern Somalia close to the Puntland.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somaliland army court sentences 17 to death

17 May- Source: Africa Review- 246 words

A Somaliland military court has sentenced 17 people to death and jailed five others for life following what it said was their role in attacking an army base on Tuesday.The Wednesday ruling by the court sitting in Hargeisa, some 1,500 kilometres northwest of Mogadishu were immediately seen as harsh and raised concerns over its impartiality given the speedy delivery and absence of independent lawyers for those charged.But the court judge, Col Yusuf Farah Sharmarke, said the prosecution had proved their case against those charged.

RCA’s team treats 80 Somali eye patients

17 May- Source: Emirates News Agency- 148 words

Eighty Somali patients with cataract and glaucoma were treated by a Red Crescent Authority’s (RCA) team in Somalia in cooperation with local charities. The complex eye surgeries were performed in cooperation with Al-Manhal Chairty as part of efforts by the emirati humanitarian major to help needy patients displaced by armed conflict in the Horn of Africa country. 150 other patients who were diagnosed for glaucoma, cataract and trachoma, which are among the major causes of blindness worldwide, at the National Ophthalmology Center in the Somali capital.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Ethiopian court says 11 will face terror charges

17 May- Source: AP- 101 words

Ethiopia’s federal court says 11 people will face terror charges related to training recruits to carry out attacks inside Ethiopia.Prosecutors said Thursday the suspects formed a cell linked with the al Qaeda-linked Somali militant group al Shabaab. Five suspects are in custody. Six others are to be tried in absentia.The charge sheet says the suspects have been mobilizing resources to train recruits and carrying out attacks aimed at destroying Ethiopia’s political, economic and public establishments.

Horn Petroleum finds oil in Somalia well

17 May – Source: Reuters – 154 words

Horn Petroleum Corp confirmed the presence of oil at its Shabeel well in the Dharoor Valley basin of Somalia’s Puntland. “We are highly encouraged with these early results which indicate oil bearing sands in possibly two zones,” CEO David Grellman said in a statement.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The U.S. has mounted a few daring operations that show the spirit required; in 2009, for example, SEALs killed three pirates who were holding an American merchant skipper. The U.S. Special Operations Command and CIA have also launched some strikes against Islamist terrorists in Somalia. But we have resisted doing what the Europeans just did–attacking pirate lairs. Presumably, this is another example of President Obama’s “lead from behind” doctrine which is thrusting European military forces, willy nilly, into the lead in all sorts of areas.”

U.S. Can’t Lead From Behind on Pirates

17 May – Source: Commentary Magazine – 253 Words

First in Libya, and now in Somalia, the Europeans, amazingly enough, seem to be taking the lead in Western military operations. European Union warships off the coast of Somalia are now attacking pirate lairs inland, targeting and destroying pirate vessels. This is a long-overdue step to put some teeth into the anti-piracy campaign.

As long as a dozen or even two dozen Western warships are forced to police an area of ocean the size of Texas, hoping they will catch pirates in the act, they have little hope of stopping pirates. The only way to be effective is to hunt down the Somali pirates, on both the sea and on land, and mete out swift and certain justice.